“I feel bit bad for him”- George Russell Claims Lewis Hamilton ‘Deserved a Podium’ After Breezing Through Australian GP
Mercedes star George Russell is concerned over his former teammate, Lewis Hamilton, as the latter suffered a Ferrari strategy hiccup
- Shradha Suman
- 4 min read
Formula 1 often turns on moments so small they are easy to miss in real time. A single strategy call or pit decision can quietly reshape the entire race.
Along with Mercedes relentless dominance at the Australian Grand prix, there was one more key takeaway that was quite the talk of the town but alas, for all the wrong reasons. Needless to say it was Ferrari’s horrible VSC strategy that now has rivals on track feeling pity.
As the paddock prepares for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday on March 15th, winners from the last lap are pouring it all out. Emotionally laden stats and reflections from this season’s stars are still echoing across the grid.
One such reflection came from George Russell, who offered an unusually candid take on a rival’s performance. As bad luck played a tough role, Russell’s comments focus not just on rivalry alone, but on the fine margins that can separate a podium finish from a missed opportunity.
1. George Russell lowkey roots for Lewis Hamilton on podium
Speaking ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, the British racing star, Russell openly acknowledged the pace shown by fellow British great Lewis Hamilton during the race, admitting that the Ferrari driver looked strong throughout the weekend. Looking back at the Australian outcome, Russell said he actually “felt a bit bad” for the Seven-time world champion. The race, he implied, did not fully reflect Hamilton’s performance on track, although “he was quick,” added the Mercedes star. George Russel went on to add how Lewis Hamilton probably “deserved to be on the podium,”. He further suggested that Hamilton’s speed and consistency placed him firmly in contention in place of Ferrari’s A-game, Charles Leclerc. Nonetheless, Ferrari’s strategy room had different plans. The Mercedes racer noted that Hamilton had been quick enough to stay within touching distance of the front runners, making the final result feel slightly harsh.
2. George Russell on their Sunday flight and what lies ahead
Away from the circuit, George Russell revealed that he and his former teammate ended up traveling together on Sunday after the race weekend. It was a smooth flight as Russell said, with Hamilton having appeared to be “in a good mood”, despite the race outcome. Regardless, even after Lewis Hamilton moved to Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, George Russell has publicly gushed of how their bond actually grew stronger, with the two sometimes traveling together and staying in touch off the track. Russell has also called Hamilton a “superhero” from his younger days, acknowledging the mentorship he received. Even after on-track incidents like the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, their rivalry has remained respectful and professional. However, even talking about moments of leisure, Russell circled back to the happenings of the last Sunday’s race. He added it would not have been “a breeze” to win had Ferrari’s strategy played out differently, partly accrediting his win to his rival on track.
3. Lewis Hamilton has his priorites sorted as eyes Chinese Grand Prix
With the Chinese Grand Prix approaching, the reflections from the last race weekend could carry valuable lessons for the grid. For Hamilton, the experience may serve as a reminder of how strategy can dramatically influence the outcome of a race. Amping up the next race of the season, George Russell smirked it off saying it is going to be “interesting” As the grid heads toward Shanghai, it will be interesting to see whether Hamilton and Ferrari can turn those lessons into a stronger result on race day. Putting behind the last race, Lewis Hamilton too have had a few words to reflect on his check list. Speaking in Shanghai, the 41-year-old has affirmed they are going to “catch them (Mercedes) up”. “And I believe we can,” added the Ferrari star. The next major event on the calendar is the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2026, scheduled for March 13–15 at the Shanghai International Circuit. As Round 2 of the season, the weekend will feature the Sprint format, with Sprint Qualifying on Friday followed by the Sprint race, replacing the traditional practice sessions.